Library, Correspondence and Related Information Clerks (NOC 145)

What They Do Library clerks issue, receive, sort, and shelve books and assist with other clerical activities. Advertising clerks, correspondence clerks, editorial assistants, publication clerks, and proofreaders perform specific clerical duties for newspapers, publishing firms, and other organizations. Customer service clerks and call centre agents respond to customers' questions/complaints, receive payments, and perform related clerical activities for retail, insurance, and other organizations. Information clerks provide information on services, schedules, rates, and other matters in response to telephone and in-person questions. Survey interviewers contact individuals to collect data for market research, public opinion polls, and other purposes. Statistical clerks code and compile interview/other data, and conduct routine analyses of data.

Where They Find Work —    Top Occupational Areas Information and cultural industries 16% Public administration 16% Retail trade 15% Administrative and support waste management and remediation services 10% Finance and insurance 8% Wholesale trade 6% Transportation and warehousing 4% These clerks work in government and in organizations such as: Libraries Newspaper and other publishing firms Retail, insurance and telephone/utility companies Call centres Market research/polling firms The unionization rate (30%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of library, correspondence and related information clerks are found in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick while the lowest concentrations are in Newfoundland and Saskatchewan.

Related Occupation(s) Customer Service Representatives - Financial Services (NOC 1433) Clerical Occupations, General Office Skills (NOC 141) Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks (NOC 1453)

Something to Think About To enhance your professional knowledge and broaden your opportunities, consider: Assessing new office equipment/ software programs Maintaining office machinery Learning how to build and maintain customer relations

Use the "Where They Find Work" graph to target your worksearch. It may be easier to get into industries with the most people in this field. Want to work in an industry that hires fewer workers in this field? To be more marketable, check out whether you have the most up-to-date knowledge and technology skills for that industry. Check the provincial/territorial or local information (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca) for opportunities in your area.

What You Need Depending on your chosen job in this field, you'll have different educational requirements. To be a library clerk, you usually need a high school diploma, and with additional experience and post-secondary education related to library science, you may move up the ranks to a more senior position. To be an advertising clerk, correspondence clerk, editorial assistant, publication clerk or proofreader, you must have a high school diploma. You may need additional courses or a university degree in writing, journalism or a related field, and previous clerical or administrative experience. To be a customer service clerk, information clerk or call centre agent, you usually need to finish high school and have some clerical or sales experience. You may also need some college or other post-secondary education. With experience as an advertising and correspondence clerk, customer service clerk or information clerk, you may move up the ranks to become a supervisor. To be a survey interviewer or statistical clerk, you may need a high school diploma and experience with computers. You usually receive on-the-job training, and you may also need a driver's licence. Many recent entrants have either an undergraduate university degree or a community college diploma.

Required/Related    Educational Programs* This will let you explore the program(s) of study that lead to this (these) occupation(s). Secretary - General (Office Administration) (C151) Computer Science (C720) Commerce - Business Administration (U120) English (U402) Sociology (U880) *  These educational programs are listed in the order in which they are most likely to supply graduates to this occupation.

Useful Experience/Skills Computer literacy Customer service Communication skills		Useful High School Subjects English French Computer Basics Business
Depending on your background, this Education, Training, and Experience info will help you to: Choose your high school courses Plan your post-secondary program Choose relevant volunteer work Decide what new skills to learn Read job ads, professional journals, and newspapers for what the industry needs and employers want. Talk to employers and employees to find out the exceptional skills and knowledge that will help you land a job.

Current Conditions Your work prospects are rated FAIR because: Employement grew at an above-average rate. Hourly wages ($14.24) are below the average ($18.07), and the rate of the wage growth is also above average. The unemployment rate (7%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).

Work Prospects Current   Fair   2009   Fair

Outlook to 2009 Your work prospects will continue to be FAIR because: The employment growth rate will likely be average because organizations should continue to require on-line assistance to clients. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.

Preparing for the Competition You'll be competing with unemployed workers/recent graduates. You're more likely to be hired if you have strong computer skills. You're more likely to succeed if you can handle databases including those on the Internet or organizations' Intranets.

If you are beginning your career investigation, national outlooks will give you a good overview of trends. Ready to explore an occupation in more detail? Check provincial/territorial or local outlooks (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca).

What you can expect to make (Average Hourly Earnings ($/hour))
Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 $11.43 $11.74 25-54 $15.61 $19.76 55+ $15.91 $19.59 Overall Average for Ages (20+) This Occupation All Occupations $14.24 $18.07		Hourly wages ($14.24) are below the national average ($18.07). These earnings are below average for occupations in the business, finance and administration sector and are close to average for all intermediate occupations. These wages grew at a below-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Your salary can be affected by your background, the company's size and benefits, and the region and setting (urban or rural). Check out salaries in your own region by seeking info from: Employees/unions/associations Employers/human resource people Training institutions and placement services Company websites Professional/trade journals

Close to the average
The unemployment rate (7%) is close to the 2004 average (7%). This rate is close to the average for intermediate occupations. A low unemployment rate often means less competition for the jobs available. But you still need to have the required training and experience. A high unemployment rate doesn't necessarily mean you'll have great difficulty getting hired. But it can mean a fluctuating demand for workers, and you may experience bouts of unemployment.		Year This Occupation All Occupations 1991 10% 10% 1992 8% 11% 1993 9% 11% 1994 8% 10% 1995 8% 10% 1996 9% 10% 1997 9% 9% 1998 6% 8% 1999 6% 8% 2000 5% 7% 2001 6% 7% 2002 8% 8% 2003 7% 8% 2004 7% 7%

% of Part-time work is above average
This Occupation All Occupations Full-time 77% 81% Part-time 23% 19%		There were 191,000 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 150% since 1997. The percentage of part-time workers (23%) is above the 2004 average (19%) and has risen significantly since 1997.
When full-time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Below average
The percentage of self-employed workers (1%) is below the 2004 average (15%).		This Occupation All Occupations Self-Employed 1% 15%
Does this occupation have an above-average rate of self-employment? Consider being your own boss if you can't find work with an employer.

Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 19% 10% 25-54 67% 72% 55+ 7% 12%		The relatively high percentage of younger workers suggests more entry-level positions and jobs that may serve as stepping stones in a career. Despite an expected older-than-average worker (35), the retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average because they also tend to retire at a later age (60).
Look at the youngest group. A low percentage means fewer openings for brand-new workers. A high percentage means more openings for brand-new workers. Look at the oldest age group. A high percentage means positions could open up from retirements. This could be significant for both mid-career changers and brand-new workers.

Above average
The percentage of women (80%) is above the 2004 average of 48% and has risen significantly since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Percent Women 80% 48%

This page last modified on: 2007-03-31